14 Jul Open Letter Regarding the Mass Shooting in Orlando

We the Board and staff of the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) stand with the LGBTQ+, Latinx, and all other groups who are marginalized due to their gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religious/cultural beliefs, disabilities, and other identities. We stand with those who experience hate based violence through words, the use of weapons, and/or actions simply for being who they are.

We are saddened and enraged at the senseless act of violence and the loss of so many lives in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016. We encourage all people to denounce hate-based violence against any group of people, for the world’s freedoms and our humanity are all interconnected. When one person’s freedoms and humanity are undermined or erased, it puts all of our freedoms and humanity at risk.

We at NYSCASA are committed to combating hate, intolerance, oppression, and bigotry in all of its forms. We invite you to join us in this effort by working to create an inclusive society free from the fear and hate that drives homophobia, misogyny, racism, and sexism. As we collectively mourn, we are also looking toward an uncertain and volatile future for those who are committed to building an inclusive America and world, and we encourage you to:

VOTE for candidates who support views that promote equity, inclusion, safety, and support for all.

Encourage those you know to vote and actively participate in the political process.

Contact your elected officials by calling or writing. We also encourage you to utilize your voice on Twitter or Facebook.

Befriend someone every day from a group or culture other than your own (i.e., an ethnic/religious group, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a woman, someone with visible and/or invisible ability challenges, a neighbor, etc.). Gift your smile, your acknowledgment, your assistance, and when it is safe to do so, challenge insensitive and hurtful comments, jokes, and statements made by your peers.

Together we can ensure that such a violent atrocity never happens again.